Blackburn Rovers & Oxford United in transfer battle for 5-goal Belgian midfielder | OneFootball

The target has another three years left on his current deal.

Belgian midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker has appeared on the transfer radars of Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United.

It's still early in the summer, with many clubs across the EFL still yet to properly get off the mark with their transfer business. Work is going on in the background, though, and the pair of Championship sides are both reportedly interested in the same player.

De Keersmaecker, Heracles Almelo's six-foot central midfielder and captain, is on Blackburn and Oxford's transfer agenda, according to Belgian journalist David Van den Broeck.

A 25-year-old combative midfielder that also offers a threat going forward, is a player that De Telegraaf have reported as someone that the second tier duo want to acquire over the summer period.

He started all 31 of his Dutch first division appearances last season for Heracles, netting five goals and also notching three assists, and also won the club's Player of the Year award for 2024-25.

He was a product of Club Brugge's academy system but has played away from his home nation and in their neighboring country for the past four years with Heracles and FC Eindhoven.

Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United both interested in Belgian midfielder

Both Van den Broeck and De Telegraaf further stated that the interest from Rovers and the U's is concrete, and that this interest has been registered with the player.

One hurdle that the clubs may have to get over in any prospective deal for De Keersmaecker is his contract. The Belgian has another three years left on his deal with Heracles, but there is a possibility for a deal to be done, according to De Telegraaf.

Blackburn are at risk of losing their captain and consistent midfield option Lewis Travis this summer.

Football League World exclusively reported that Derby County have joined Wrexham in the battle to sign the 27-year-old this summer. He has one year left on his deal and Rovers are trying to negotiate a new deal with Travis.

Derby's boss John Eustace worked with Travis before he left Ewood Park to move to Pride Park last season. FLW also reported that the Rams want to sign Danny Batth and Andi Weimann from Valerien Ismael's side this summer.

Brian De Keersmaecker has the qualities to be a potential Championship force

For both the U's and Rovers, De Keersmaecker has the hallmarks of a player who would be able to live at the Championship level. His physical qualities contribute a lot to that, but also that he can be an effective force in both boxes.

Heracles are in a very strong position with their midfielder. They are under no pressure to let the 2000-born Belgian leave their club this summer, so the second-tier pairing will need to bend to their will a little bit in order to sign him.

If one of them does land De Keersmaecker, he could be a potentially game-changing player.